A quarter of people not working

A QUARTER of people in Londonderry were not working at the end of 2008, the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETINI) Arlene Foster has revealed.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Jul 2010, 11:59 BST

Whilst the latest Northern Ireland Labour Market Report showed 7.2 per cent of people of working age in Londonderry were claiming the dole in May the actual level of economic activity was likely much higher.

The latest figures available - dating from January to December 2008 - show that 24,000 people of working age were registered as economically inactive in Londonderry at the beginning of last year.

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The Minister revealed 24,000 people in the Foyle constituency were then inactive - by far the highest number in any constituency across Northern Ireland. In West Tyrone the figure was 19,000, whilst in East Londonderry the figure was 15,000.

Outlining the figures the Minister stated: "Of the 296,000 economically inactive people of working age in Northern Ireland in 2008, an estimated 31 per cent were sick/disabled, 26 per cent were students, 26 per cent were looking after the family/home, 6 per cent were retired and 10 per cent were 'other' reason."

She added: "These estimates are sourced from the January to December 2008 Labour Force Survey, as this is the latest source of economic inactivity information at constituency level."

Related topics:Arlene FosterNorthern IrelandFoyle